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Biosecurity Briefing
HHS Releases Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Tool-Kit By Michelle Cantu, December 12, 2007 On December 1, 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an online “tool-kit” titled, Take the Lead: Working Together to Prepare Now, on its pandemic planning website. The tool-kit is a collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and HHS, with input from community leaders.1 The Take the Lead kits are intended for leaders of healthcare organizations, businesses, and community and faith-based organizations. The kits offer fact sheets about pandemic influenza, sample materials that can be customized, a resource list, checklists, and ideas for encouraging preparation among community members, employees, or constituents. The toolkit introduction notes that leaders “can play a powerful role in encouraging…employees, patients, and members and others…to prepare by providing information and guidance and by preparing yourself."1 In May 2007, HHS hosted a five week Pandemic Flu Leadership Blog in which leaders in healthcare, business, and community and faith-based organizations discussed topics such as the need to prepare, the role of leaders in preparedness, and how to achieve preparedness. In addition, HHS hosted a Pandemic Influenza Leadership Forum on June 13, 2007, to further discuss ways to promote and encourage pandemic preparedness in communities and among individuals.2 In an interview with CIDRAP News on December 4, 2007, Greg Dworkin, MD, founding editor of the FluWiki website, commented that the materials have so far been well received. However, he added that HHS seems to be lacking a plan for distribution of the materials to community leaders. "As of right now, [the tool-kits] are available online, but who knows about them? How will community leaders, school boards, and others learn about their existence?" Dworkin asked.3 For additional resources on community engagement for pandemic influenza and other public health emergencies, please visit the Community Engagement section of the Center for Biosecurity’s website: http://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/focus/community_engage/index.html. References
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